Dress #366 Finale

Well, here it is. My last dress. And yes, it is, in the tradition of the old couture shows, a wedding dress. Fabric, lace, ruffles and pearls in a sophisticated silhouette for my finale. I am both happy and sad that my year is complete. I've enjoyed nearly every moment---admittedly, there were times I didn't want to make a dress. In general, though, once I started, I enjoyed the creative process. What have I learned from this endeavor? 1.) I like fabric, but using paper as fabric was a new pleasure for me. 2.) I found it very difficult to not accept suggestions from others. I like to please, but I wanted this to be entirely my own creativity. 3.) The more you do, the more ideas you have. 4.) Recognition and praise is addicting and terrifying. 5.) It is impossible to me to work neatly. 6.) Waists really make dresses look good! 7.) A little glitz makes me very happy. 8.) Every dress idea produced ideas for other projects. I intend to document those project on this blog as this next year unfolds. 9.) 366 is a lot of little dresses! and 10.) Blogging about a commitment is an excellent motivator.

For all of you who have followed along for the year, thank you. I appreciate all those page views, and if you've made comments, please know that they meant the world to me. Eileen, thank you for sending me the care package of ribbons when I realized I'd left my collection at home. Sandy, thank you for your dialog with  me about how I would display and share them when I finished, and for inviting me to come and speak at your group. Anticipating that presentation will keep me from feeling bereft at the loss of the daily "happy hour." And mostly important, thank you, Jeff, for putting up with the mess, and supporting me 100% all year long. Never did you groan or complain about the money or the effort. Thank you everyone!

Dress #365 Black Roses

This is one of my favorite looks---all the interest in the skirt fabric with a plain black sweater. It is more unexpected than the usual plain black skirt or pants with the fancy top. A very fancy ribbon from the scrapbooking world, black felt for the sweater, and a ribbon belt. The necklace is some chunky embroidery thread that I've had for years.

Dress #364 Bottle Green

The skirt for today's dress is from a water bottle I found on the street in Paris. I think the brand is from Croatia. Lovely bottle. The bodice is a recycled Sprite bottle. Lining is tissue paper, and some gold for the belt.

Dress #363 Pink and Gray Lace

I love lace. I love gray. I love pink and gray together. That's it.

Dress #362 I Love Paris

Vichy fabric---what in the States is gingham---a tiny Eiffel Tower and crocheted white lace trim. All this makes a very Paris looking dress. I will tell you, however, that I have never seen anything made of gingham here in France. But as the song goes, "Why, oh why do I love Paris? Because my love is here."

Dress #361 Red and Black Lace

Red top with black lace overlay, and a sheer black skirt. I'll take this over a little black dress any day. Fabric, lace, and ribbon.

Dress #360 Beaded Wool

I just love this gauzy, soft wool fabric I found here. The beaded top makes it a beautiful dress. Sheer wool, beads and a velvet ribbon.

Dress #359 Constellations

I've had this idea in my mind since long before I embarked on this project. I really like the idea, and might use it on other projects as well.

Dress #358 Copper Jersey

I found this copper lame jersey in the remnant bin today. I like the wrap skirt with the ruffle, but it wraps a bit too far to the side. I guess she's lost weight walking around the fabric stores.

Dress #357 Brown Stripes

So this is a dress that I love, but I don't know what kind of a dress it is! Too dressy for most work occasions, not really dressy enough for a party, perhaps for a nice dinner out? A silk tie remnant, some silk and organza scraps.

Dress #356 Staying Warm

Still cold here in Paris, and everyone is layering wool over wool. A marvelous red pinstripe jumper layered over one of my dad's old knit ties.

Dress #355 After Dior

There was the most beautiful dress in Bon Marche---maybe in all of Paris. This homage doesn't do it justice, although I like this one, too. The sparkles in the beading don't show up very well in the photo. Satin and beads.

Dress #354 Icy Blue

It is very cold here in Paris, but to be expected in January, I guess. However, a wooly infinity scarf wrapped 'round and 'round keeps one as warm as possible. Cotton fabric, and some mesh-y stuff for the scarf.

Dress #353 Louvre Fence

There is a fence at the Louvre that I've always loved. This dress is inspired by that fence however tenuous it might seem to the casual onlooker. Silk dupioni. gold bobbin work, and some trim to mimic the fleur de lis on the fence. Here's a link to a photo of the fence so you can see...

Dress #352 Year of the Snake

Strolling on Boulevard St. Germain a couple of weeks ago, a beautiful top caught my eye. The most marvelous drape and a yellow/gray snakeskin print. I was shocked to discover that the top is real (!) python skin, and retails for 3400 Euros! Eeek! This is an interpretation of the snakeskin theme---ricrak top, and silver snakeskin print over a silk stripe like a coral snake. And of course, a snake-eyes pin.

Dress #351 Red, Black and Gold

This is a sheer with metallic design over a bright red silk skirt and a black felt top. The gold trim on the skirt and the neckline is bobbin work---the little IKEA machine didn't even hiccup. I love the way this looks---put some sleeves on it, and send me to a party!

Dress #350 Haute Chocolate

Just a simple chocolate dessert---er, dress. Recycled silk from a J. Peterman coat of many years ago, and a ribbon from a chocolate gift from my neighbors in Baltimore. Sparkles instead of sprinkles to finish.

Dress #349 Ruffled Sleeves

Another dressy dress..rather plain, but with over-the-top ruffled sleeves. Personally, I love it, and would wear it in a minute. This might be one of the ones I make for myself.

Dress #348 I've Been Everywhere

I love this fabric, as it reminds me of the Johnny Cash song. There are very few place names on it that I haven't lived in or visited. Of course, the crab is for the Chesapeake Bay area that I've called home longer than anywhere else. Perhaps I'm a bit homesick today. Nah, just like the fabric!

Dress #347 Lace and Ruffles

Just a simple blouse and skirt for today. OK, I guess if the skirt is completely covered with lace ruffles, and the blouse is satin, lace and ruffles, it isn't in the simple category. I love this one!

Dress #346 More Feathers

Feathers on everything in Paris this season. The most incredible? A pair of shoes covered with feathers. Men's shoes at that! Here's a dress that looks fairly conservative. I don't think feathers will wear well---especially as a skirt. However, I've always wanted a feather boa...

Dress #345 Golden Wheat

In France, wheat symbolizes good fortune and abundance especially at the start of a new year. The florist sell  bunches of wheat right next to the white flowers symbolizing a fresh start for the year. I've seen miles and miles of golden wheat fields in the Western U.S. but today is the first time I've handled wheat. It is beautiful! The grain groups look like little flowers. Dress of wheat, linen, and some gold ribbon that I picked up on the street.

Dress #344 Gray Knit

Another basic knit dress---but this one has a "zipper" turtleneck. Gray knit from the discount bin, and zipper from two sections of tiny ball chain with a bead pull. By the way, I removed the "captcha" annoyance from the comments. Thank you , Paris Breakfasts, for letting me know I could do this. A big "duh" for me.

Dress #343 Camel and Red

Another one of my favorite color combinations---camel and red. The print for the dress with the green leaves compliments the jacket nicely. A great dress for work! Fabrics and a pin from who-knows-where.

Dress #342 Tea Dress

As much as I would like to make sparkly party dresses day after day, that could be boring. Today I am feeling a bit silly, but I think this has possibilities. Perhaps even with a little paper hanger instead of the string and tag? Beautiful eyelet rice paper, tea and string from a Lipton teabag, and paper.

Dress #341 Winter White

Paris is filled with women wearing belted coats this year! They look so well put together. Inspired by them, today's dress is a belted coat dress in winter white. Craft felt, and a couple of bibelots.

Dress #340 Rainbow Blue

Starting out the new year a bit out of my comfort zone: blue and rainbows. I like it. This could be a good sign! Lightweight blue sweater knit from the discount fabric bin, and a piece of rainbow ribbon from Eileen. For many years, I wore a star pin every day---it became my signature. I like it on my little dresses, too.